To fight The Golden Circle, the Kingsman team-up with their kinsman, the Statesman.

Your favorite British spy (not you Mr. Bond... too old school!), Eggsy, and the Kingsman are back for their next mission to save the world! Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the sequel to 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service which was based on the comic book The Secret Service'by Mark Millar (Kick-ass) and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) published in 2012. Kingsman: The Secret Service was well-received by both critics and the movie audience as an alternate take to the typical spy movies that tended to follow the double-O template (xXx excepted). Think of Kingsman like a spy version of the classic movie My Fair Lady, i.e. a posh gentleman takes a street smart kid under his wing molding him into the next generation spy. So what is the next mission for our favourite new age spies this time?

Official Synopsis
When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman's journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents’ strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy.

 

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick-ass, X-Men First Class), who returns from directing the first movie. It stars Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service) as Eggsy, Colin Firth (Bridget Jones' Diary) as former agent Galahad, Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) as Merlin, Halle Berry (X-Men) as Ginger Ale, Channing Tatum (G.I.Joe) as Tequila, Jeff Bridges (Iron Man) as Champagne, Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones) as Jack Daniels / Whiskey and Julianne Moore (Hannibal) as the main antagonist Poppy Adams.

In the comic book Kingsman: The Secret Service the main protagonist, troubled teenager Gary "Eggsy" London, gets arrested for smashing up a stolen car. Eggsy's mother calls up his uncle, Jack London to bail him out. Secretly a top agent in the Kingsman, Uncle Jack sees the potential in Eggsy and convinces the young man to train as a secret agent. After three years and a grueling final trial by fire, Eggsy graduates as a Kingsman. Both uncle and nephew then undertake a mission together to stop Doctor James Arnold, a wealthy cellphone entrepreneur intending to commit a global genocide. They succeed in foil Dr. Arnold's plan and save the world but at the cost of Jack London's life.

In the movie version, the premise is similar to the comic book but with tweaks to the characters. Most notably Galahad played by Colin Firth replaces Jack London whilst Eggsy's real name becomes Gary Unwin and therefore they are not blood relatives. Instead Eggsy's father was a Kingsman killed during a mission spurring Galahad's obligation to keep an eye out for his young son's well-being. Instead of being the main antagonist, James Arnold is recast as a jittery professor played by Mark Hamil in a supporting role for purpose of the plot. The head villain comes as Richmond Valentine, a similar technology magnate like Dr. Arnold of the comics, but in the form of Samuel L Jackson, complete with F-bombs! Also lead henchman Gazelle in the comics was recast from a muscular black man to an athletic henchwoman of Sofia Boutella (The Mummy). Following an overarching plot inspired by the comics, Richmond Valentine intends world genocide as well but is thwarted by Eggsy and the Kingsman with Galahad killed during course of the spy mission.

Eggsy ready to blow up some bad guys in The Golden Circle

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is opening in cinemas this week and looks to be an original story not based on plots from the comic books. Let’s take a look who will be returning in this much anticipated movie sequel as well as the new characters being introducted!

The Kingsman

Eggsy / Agent Galahad (Taron Egerton): From troubled street youth to Kingsman agent.

Harry Hart / Former Agent Galahad (Colin Firth): Like in comic books, no one truly dies! Eggsy mentor presumed killed after being shot in the head returns wearing an eye-patch.

Merlin (Mark Strong): Eggsy’s trainer and also the Kingsman’s tech support.

Roxy Morton / Lancelot (Sophie Cookson): Eggsy’s team-mate and best friend.

The Kingsman's American cousins, The Statesman

 

Agent Tequila (Channing Tatum): A Statesman agent.

Ginger Ale (Halle Berry): Statesman tech support.

Agent Champagne (Jeff Bridges): Head of Statesman

Jack Daniels / Agent Whiskey (Pedro Pascal): The modern cowboy Statesman complete with six-shooter pistols and lasso.

That's no skipping rope!

And CEO of The Golden Circle and main antagonist villainness:

Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore): A notorious criminal mastermind and another global entrepreneur gone wrong

 Listen to Poppy's own megalomaniacal introduction!

Kingsman The Golden Circle is looking super suave and intends to deliver a fun-tastic comic book movie experience. Here's a couple of brief reactions right after watching the movie on sneak preview night:

Then stay tuned to our full movie review coming shortly on our YouTube channel MySciFiFanOutpost. Meanwhile also check out the review written by Star2.com.

Since this movie looks to almost literally "blow us away", fans of Kingsman (and soon to be the Statesman) would definitely want some movie memorabilia for keepsake. Well, it's good then that the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) has found Malaysian cinemas offering a variety of Kingsman goodies as part of their concession combos.

From GSC Cinemas, purchase 4 movie tickets for Kingsman: The Golden Circle to unlock the privilege to purchase the ‘Ultimate Kingsman Bundle’ worth RM79.90 for only RM25. It comes with their two Combo 3 popcorn sets (total 4 drinks and 2 large popcorn), 1 Kingsman spinning keychain and 1 Kingsman grooming kit. This is bundle is only available at selected GSC outlets while stocks last so do check at the GSC website first for locations.

At MBO Cinemas, purchase a Kingsman Combo for RM50 comprising popcorn, a soft drink and an exclusive flask shaped like a GIANT bullet! Now that’s a way cool bottle to send a not so subtle message to A-holes out there. These Kingsman Combos are apparently SOLD OUT at most outlets so do check on latest stock availability from MBO Cinemas on Facebook.

Also MBO’s ALLSTAR members can use their points to bid on a selection of Kingsman movie merchandise starting from 3,000 points.

With Agent Clariss Ooi from Foxman  #KingsmanTheGoldenCircle in cinemas 21 September 2017 #Kingsman #mannersmakethman
Posted by Ezli Qamari on Sunday, 17 September 2017

Meanwhile, Watatime and Tag Heuer collaborated for a Kingsman: The Golden Circle exhibition at the concourse area at Mid Valley Megamall last week. Some photos of the event is available from Watatime's Facebook.

The official Kingsman Tag Heuer special edition watch.

Curious about the price? It took some digging and after some expert Googling by our Outpost M.R.T. experts, we have some reasonably reliable intel that this watch known as the Connected Modular 45 Kingsman Special Edition is priced extravagantly at RM17,000! If interested to own one contact Watatime or find out more at the official Tag Heuer website.

For it's hefty price tag, this watch should include amnesia darts too!

If you like to get your hands on some movie bobblehend figurines, Funko POP has released 4 figurines from the first movie: Eggsy, Harry, Richmond, Gazelle. You can try to contact local Funko distributor Sheldonet Toy Store Malaysia to see if these are available on our shores.

Funko POP! Eggsy bobblehead from the first Kingsman movie. Pet dog included!

Richmond Valentine, profanity not included!

For more posh collectors, consider one-sixth scale figures of Harry Hart by Pop Toys and Gazelle by Hot Hearts from Kingsman: The Secret Service. These exquisite collectible figures were released last year and available locally from XL-Shop.com priced at RM480 for Harry and RM528 for Gazelle.

Kingsman Harry Hart in 1:6 scale.

The deadly Gazelle in 1:6 scale.

Enjoyed the movies and want to try-out to be a Kingsman? Then get the official game on IOS and Android. The game is a turn-based match-3 role-playing combat game just released for free downloads. Search on app stores for Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Available now for IOS and Android.

Be recruited as a Kingsman agent! You'll need to pass your training by completing Merlin's virtual simulation. Step into the shoes of Eggsy, Harry, Roxy, Merlin, and many more, each with their own style, skills and gadgets, and save the world from the hidden threats that lurk within.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is definitely one of the most anticipated sequels for this year and will be releasing here in Malaysia nationwide on 21 September with sneak previews the night before at selected cinemas. Remember that this is 18+ rated movie for violence and profanity, so no kids are allowed for screenings.

In cinemas 21 September 2017

Disclaimer: Kingsman and other trademarks are copyright MARV Films and 20th Century Fox, referenced here for fan service engagements without intent to infringe.

Kingsman: Care for a Spot of Action, Old Chap?

When you hear that Colin Firth and Michael Caine are in the same movie, you can definitely expect something very English about it. For one, Kingsman is directed by an Englishman Matthew Vaughn, who also adapted the screenplay based on popular comic book ‘The Secret Service’ by Scotsman Mark Millar, (previously known for ‘Kick Ass’) and illustrated by Dave Gibbons (who has worked on the ‘Watchmen’ series).

Colin Firth looking ever the dapper gentleman.

    

The screenplay for Kingsman: The Secret Service movie however, differs somewhat from the comic book version. In the movie, young Eggsy (played by relative newcomer Taron Egerton) is a rebellious teen with a knack for getting into trouble. In one of his mischievous jaunts, he is captured by the police and desperate for a way out, calls a number on the back of his father’s bravery medal. Eggsy’s father it turns out, was part of a covert British spy programme who died on the job. The number on the medal turns out to belong to Harry Hart (Colin Firth), who worked with Eggsy’s Dad. Hart wastes no time in rescuing the boy and recruiting him in a training program run by the secret service to pick new agents. At the same time, a villain appears in the form of Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), an extremist nature lover who thinks the best way to preserve earth is to kill all humans via the magic of mind control. There is a twist in Valentine’s plans however, as it include the preservation of several VVIPs, one of whom is a Secret Service Insider (of course saying who will be revealing too much).

Eggsy (far right) in Kingsman training.

The trailer is decidedly rather un-British, as UK cinema often offers very subtle and understated versions of anything, be it romance, comedy, action or drama.  

Explosions, action and intrigue. All the ingredients for a good spy flick.

There is, however, nothing subtle about the violent scenes in Kingsman. Often the effects are slowed down to give audiences a cringe worthy and rather detailed image of the fight sequences. An example of this can be seen here:

How does Colin Firth stay so fit at 55?

Considering that this is Firth’s first action movie, it will be interesting to see how he pulls off all those stunts, considering he is now in the senior citizen’s category. Also on a more amusing note, we shall see Samuel L Jackson play the part of the twisted genius bad guy, although most of his previous roles have featured him as the underdog hero archetype. Also to look out for is a cameo by Mark Hamill (all you Star Wars fans will recognize this name) playing James Arnold, an environmental Professor kidnapped by terrorists at the beginning of the show. How Hamill got this cameo spot is an interesting story indeed. The original Secret Service comic features a character called Mark Hamill at the beginning of story, who is (you guessed it) a celebrity who is kidnapped by terrorists. So in essence, Mark Hamill plays himself.

Luke, I am your kidnapper…

Generally, the movie has been given relatively high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (77%) and average ratings on Metacritic (58%). The main complaint seems to be that the movie plays it safe most of the time and doesn’t try to be any different from other spy movies in this genre.

Check-out the official website.

For those curious on the Kingsman: The Secret Service, visit the official website for how to Become a Kingsman Knight as well View The Arsenal of superspy weapons. It also features a "classified" redband movie trailers which is declassified here (beware of typical Samuel L Jackson vocabulary and does of blood splatter):

Closer to home, our Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) recommend fans of Kingsman to try their luck hunting down TGV Cinemas’ own secret agent on February 13^th according to the clues given on their FB page to win limited edition passes to a midnight screening.

TGV Cinemas is also offering customers of their IMAX screenings the chance to win a "Made to Measure" Kingsman outfit plus movie premiums. Check out more details here.

Local Malay language blog Budiey.com is also giving away passes to watch Kingsman on the 16^th of February. All contestants have to do is answer a simple questionnaire and come up with the most creative slogans. Apart from free movie passes, Budiey.com is also giving you a chance to win limited edition movie merchandises including key chains, bags, a USB thumb drives shaped like a gun, and many more.

Get your own special spy equipment from contest at Budiey.com.

Dress like a Kingsman from Mr. Porter, which ships to Malaysia.

British Luxury Menswear brand Mr.Porter has collaborated with the film’s director to offer a line of clothing called Kingsman, inspired by the movie’s sharp suits and gentlemanly fashion. There are some really pricy pieces but reasonable ones as well if you’re looking for a keepsake, such as a key ring for about RM500 and some cufflinks.

This watch will set you back almost RM72 000.

But this pocket square is only about RM250.  

In this clip, you would be able to hear how the costumes of the movie were created and developed, and how it was translated into Mr. Porter’s line of products. All very proud of their British heritage and style.

Overall, some have said that the movie takes away much of the serious cynicism from the comic book and put in some lighter, more entertaining elements. We shall nevertheless look forward to Colin Firth kicking a** in Saville row suits.

Outpost also likes take this opportunity to which all our followers

Happy Chinese New Year!

Disclaimer: Kingsman and other trademarks are copyright to 20th Century Fox, and their respective owners, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.